UAA-010 REPORT ON INVESTIGATION OF CRACKS IN PARKLAND APPARTMENT

UNDERSTANDING THE CRACKS

Based on preliminary observations, an interim report was generated.

Cracks are generally due to internal forces developed in the building materials due to moisture
variation, temperature changes and suitable remedial measures can be taken to control it. Cracks may
appreciably vary in width from very thin hair crack barely visible to naked eye to gaping crack.
Depending upon the crack width, the cracks are classified as:

➢ Thin Crack -less than 1 mm in width.

➢ Medium Crack -1 to 2 mm in width.

➢ Wide Crack -more than 2 mm in width.

➢ Crazing -Occurrence of closely spaced fine cracks at the surface of a material is called crazing.
Crazing is the development of a network of fine random cracks on the surface of concrete or mortar
caused by shrinkage of the surface layer.

PREDECTIVE CAUSES OF CRACKS:

MN

Horizontal cracks with inward displacement:

Horizontal crack along the mortar joint of a concrete masonry block wall. The wall also is bulged
inwards; measurements showing more than in inch of inwards bow meant that expert evaluation (and
probable reconstruction) were in order for this structure.

This happened due to poor workmanship and method of construction. The member is blockwork in two
separate level and connected with plastering mortar which intend to shear off on ages.

Vertical cracks in compound wall:

The compound walls are known as free standing walls. Vertical cracks appear at 5 to 8m intervals due to
drying shrinkage combined with thermal contraction. These vertical cracks get widened in cold weather
and shrink or close in hot weather.

This is due to lack of expansion joint at the regular interval. So that it could not able resist the effect of
the drying shrinkage and thermal contraction.

Treatment:

Expansive crack is of no real structural significance, although it may allow water into the cavity in brick
built houses, and subsequence cause deterioration of the wall ties. Therefore filling the crack with a
mastic or sealant compound is recommended. However, for more severe cracking it is advisable to form
an expansion joint. This would be cut into the wall, filled with a compressible material with a waterproof
stopper to the outside.
Observation:

Further observation could not able to proceed due to no cooperation from building owner as they did
not accept to fix the monitoring equipment.

EBS report is not accepted by owner.

As per EBS report these cracks are observed before the start of project and these expansion cracks have
no bearing with the construction activities of UAA-10 underground amenities center project at shenoy
nagar.